Renewable energy has best summer to date, National Grid says

More than half the UK's electricity came from low carbon sources this summer, the National Grid says, making it the "Greenest" summer on record. The Grid has launched software that forecasts the carbon intensity of electricity up to two days ahead. It hopes this will help people to understand and control energy use. Shifting the timing of activities such as running a dishwasher or charging electric vehicles could help relieve pressure on the energy system, reduce the need to use back-up fossil fuel plants, and potentially reduce bills for households. The software combines National Grid's knowledge of the energy system with weather data from the Met Office to forecast the share of renewable and non-renewable energy on the grid over the next 48 hours and the resulting carbon emissions. "Duncan Burt, from National Grid, said:"Clear and concise information that can tell you in advance when's best to turn on the washing machine, load the dishwasher or charge your car for example, is a step in the right direction towards a low carbon future.